Band clamp



pril 1'2, 1949. R. A. WEBSTER ET Al. 2,466,755

BAND CLAMP Filed Feb. 19, 1944 2 sheets-sheet 2 l 4' g .5: if? 3j 9 3g @Y 1.9 .-72 i .1L-f 24 4 glnnnnnmm lnnnnnnnnnnm'l -21 n I I h f5 AroeA/Ex Patented Apr. 12, 1949 BAND CLAMP Robert A. Webster, Santa Monica, and Howard D. Houghton, Los Angeles, Calif., assignors to Marmari Products Company, Inc., Inglewood,l Calif., a corporation of California Application February 19, 1944, SerialNo. 523,086'

11 Claims.

This invention relates to band clamps of the general type disclosed in United States Letters Patent 1,111,479, issuedv to- J. P. M. Malleville on September 22, 1914 in which one end of a thin metal band is secured to a screw threaded into a nut member in a framerandthe other end of the Iband is anchored to the frame by extending it through a slot in the-frame and folding it back along an upper surface of the frame, the arrangement being such that when the screw is i subsequently turned' t'o movethe one end of the band Ain direction to tighten it, the one end presses the folded back portion ofthe other end of the band against the said surface on the frame to` restrain it from slipping;

This general type of clamp has the important advantage that it can bequickly adjusted to fit objects of any one of a variety of sizes by simply pulling the band through the slot in the frame until most of the slack is eliminated, before bending the band back. Unfortunately, however, it has been found thatv when employing the exact construction shown in the Malleville patent, the holding force may be objectionably low if the band is relatively thin and made of ycertain materials-stainless steel, for example-because the band may flow aroundthe edge of the slot under strain.

A general objectv ofthe present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the Malleville design, whereby the inherent advantages of the principle employed may be fully utilized in practice.

A more specific object isto prevent the folded back end of the band in a clamp ofthe Mallevillel type from slipping around the band under strain. Another object is to provide a |band clamp structure ofthe Malleville type which is particularly easy to manipulate.

Still another object is to provide a clamp in which the anchor end of theband is adjustableand in which it is locked againstmovement, when the band is tightened, with a locking force that increases as the tension on thesband is increased.

Other more specific objects and features of' the invention will become apparent from the description to follow of cert'ainvspecific embodiments` Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3but showing a modified construction;

Fig. 5 -is a view similar to Fig. 3 butshowing a second modified construction;

Fig 6 is a detail .plan View of a modified form of band that may beemployed inthe clamps of Figs. 1 to 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional View taken inthe same plane as Fig. 3 showing a modification of the frame structure of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 for use with the special band of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation showing a modification of the structure of Fig. 2;V

Fig. 9 is a cross section taken. in the plane IX-IX of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing still another modification of the frame structure;

Fig. 11 is a cross section taken in the plane XI-XI of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a detail plan view showing a modified frame construction that can be employed in place of. any of the frame structures shown in the preceding figures; and

Figs. 13 and 14 are views similar'toFigs. 3 and 2 respectively but showing modified frame structures.

Referring first to Figs 1 and'2, there is shown a clamp in accordance with our invention which comprises as its main elements a thin strip or,

band I5 and a clamping mechanism for tightening the band about an object, such as a hose I6. The mechanism for tightening the band includes aframe I1 and means for locking one end of the band to the frame and for moving the other end of the band with respect to the frame to contract'.

small endv 2| ofa screw 22', which screw is threaded.

through a nut block 23 hingedly supported on the frame I l, the latter being of channel' shape, open at the top, and having'a pair of holes I'II in its. opposite side walls |112, which holes receive and rotatably support trunnions 26 extending from opposite sides of thev nutblock 23.

The band l5 extends from the anchor member 20 through a slot- 211m the bottom wall' 28 of the 3 frame I1, and rotation of the screw 22 draws the band through the slot 21 to tighten it after it has been placed about an object.

The anchor member 28 may be secured against escape from the small end 2l of the screw by a washer 24 which in turn is held against escape by upsetting the end 2| as indicated at 29. To reduce frictional resistance to rotation of the screw, it may also be desirable to provide a washer 3l between the anchor member 20 and the shoulder at the end of the screw proper. However, the washers are not essential.

As has been previously indicated, the end I8 of the band I5 is normally free. In using the clamp, the band I5 is first wrapped loosely about the hose IE and the end I8 passed upwardly through the slot 21 as shown in Fig. 2. The band is then adjusted by pulling on the end I8 until excessive slack has been removed, after which the band is pressed down flat against the bottom wall 28 of the frame and the screw 22 is tightened to advance the anchor member 28 and the movable end I9 of the band with respect to the frame I1, as shown in Fig. 3 in which the band is fully tightened.

.It will be observed that in Fig. 3 the movable end I9 of the band is pressed tightly against the anchor end I8 of the band by the anchor member 2D, thereby pressing the anchor end of the band rmly against the bottom wall 28 and holding it in frictional engagement therewith. Substantial holding force results from the sharp bend in the band where it is folded around the edge 30 of the slot 21. A sharp bend is produced by virtue of the fact that the movable end portion of the band is drawn tightly across the under edge of the slot and across the anchor end of the band at the diagonally opposite corner; i. e., the upper corner of the edge 3D.

In accordance with the present invention, the frictional resistance to slippage of the anchor end I8 along the wall 28 is further increased by the fact that in the construction shown, the anchor member 28 and the movable end I9 of the band are forced more tightly against the anchor end I8 of the band as the screw 22 is tightened to increase the tension.

Thus, it will be observed that whereas the tension of the movable end of the band is applied to the lower edge of the anchor member 20, the nut block 23 is pivotally supported on the frame I1 at a substantially higher level; namely, the level of the trunnions 2E. Hence, the tension of the band and the reactive force of the frame on the trunnions of the nut block produce a couple tending to rotate the screw and the nut block clockwise (with reference to Fig. 3) with respect to the frame I1, forcing the anchor member 28 downward toward the bottom wall 28 with a force proportional to the tension developed in the band.

It is'important to note that there is no tendency of the band end I9 to bind or lock against the end I8 before the band is tensioned because the nut block 23 is free to rock with respect to the frame, and there is no appreciable force on the anchor member 28 normal to the bottom wall 28 until the screw has been turned suiiiciently to tension the band.

It will be observed from Fig. 2 that when the screw 22 is fully retracted, the anchor member 20 is positioned substantially above the slot 21 and if, either as a result of premature tension on the band or carelessness on the part of the operator, the heady of the screw were to be raised dur ing the initial ypart of the tightening operation,

the lower edge of the anchor member 2U might be lowered into the slot 21, causing it to catch and lock against the edge 30. However, any possibility of such a mishap occurring is forestalled with the design shown by providing cooperating cam means on the member 2B and the frame Il' respectively. The cam means on the member 23 consists of cam-follower elements in the form of two outwardly projecting ears 32 at its upper edge 228i, which ears ride on the upper edges 33 of the side walls I12 of the frame I1, the edges 33 constituting the same cam means on the frame I1.

These upper edges 33 are so shaped as to support the anchor member 20 clear of the edge 30 until the forward movement has carried the anchor member past edge 30. Beyond that point the edges 33 are sloped down to permit the lower edge of the anchor member 20 to press the movable end I9 of the band against the anchor end i8 of the band and the bottom wall 28 as Shown in Fig. 3.

In the construction so far described with reference to Figs. l, 2 and 3, both ends of the band are shown as entering the frame through the slot 21. This has the advantage of increasing the pressure applied by the movable end IS of the band against the anchor end I8 of the band at the upper corner of edge 38. However, it has a slight disadvantage in that it makes it a little more difcult to thread the anchor end I8 through the slot when placing the clamp about the hose. Hence, it may be desirable in some instances to bring the movable end of the band into the channel frame across the rear end 35 thereof, as shown in Fig. 4. When the band is brought in over the rear end of the frame, the slot 21 may be made narrower, as indicated in Fig. 4. Otherwise the construction is the same as that in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Another variation is shown in Fig. 5, this variation differing essentially from Fig. 2 only in that the frame I1 is made substantially shorter so that when the screw is fully tightened, the anchor member 20 is carried beyond the end 38 of the bottom wall 28 and both end portions of the band are bent sharply about the forward end 36 of the bottom wall 28. This construction requires less material than the construction of Fig. 2 and may prove more satisfactory for some purposes.

It is also possible to increase the holding power of the anchor end of the band by embossing the band as shown at 31 in Fig. 6 and also providing indentations or recesses 38 in the upper surface of the bottom wall 28 of the frame as shown in Fig. '1, so that when the anchor end f8 of the band is forced against the bottom wall 28, the bosses 31 in the band are forced into the recesses 38 in the bottom wall 28 to substantially increase the frictional resistance to slippage.

vAs shown in Fig. 12, the edge 30 of the slot about which the anchor end of the band is folded is preferably made convex. The result of this construction is that it has a pronounced effect in increasing the resistance to flow of the band around the edge under tension.

Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 show modifications of the frame construction in which slots 39 and 40 are provided in the side walls of the frame I1 for the ears 32 of the anchor member 20 to ride in, instead of the ears riding on the top edge of the side walls as in the construction of Figs. l and 2.

' In Figs. 8 and 9 the slots 39 are relatively wide through the major portion of their length so that after the anchormember 2Uk hasbeenmoved past.

the slot 21, the ears 32 do not engage either edge of the s1ots39, the sole function of the ears 32 and slots 39 being to maintain the anchor member 20 clear of the edge 36 of the slot 2li until it has passed beyond the slot 2, this function being performed by the lower edges Sill of the slots 33.

In'the construction shown in Figs. l0 and 11, the slots 4d are of substantially uniform width throughout their length and guide the ears 32 even after the anchor member 2B has passed the slot21. Thus portions 4B! of the lower edges of theslots il keep the member 20 clear of the slot 2-1, and portions 402 of the upper edges of the slots-:l bear-against the upper edges of the ears 321 to cam the anchor member 20 down against the anchor end of the bandv lying on the bottom Wall 28vof the frame. Hence, in the arrangement of` Fig. 10, the tension of the band is not -vrelied upon to pros/ide theforc'ef-necessary to hold the anchor-fend of the band in engagement with the bottom wallZ, although it`aids the' ears y322 andthe slots 40 in performing this function.

Although in Fig. '7 the bottom wall 2i! has been shown provided with recesses 38 capable cierrgaging the bosses 31 in a band, bosses instead of recesses may be provided on wall 28, the bosses on the band catching against the Ibosses on wall to hold the band against slippage.

The holding power of the band around the edge 30 is at the maximum when the band lies against the underside of the bottom wall 28 and it is desirable in some instances to make the por tion of the wall 23 immediately adjacent the 39' substantially tangent to the band, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

In Fig. 13 the bottom wall 28 is extended be'- yond the left endv of the side walls of the and curled back under as indicated at 2.8i so to tilt the frame, out of the position shown in Fig.. 3 and make the bottom wall tangent to the band at a point 285 slightly to the right of the edge 3B.

In Fig. 14 the same result is attained by forming the frame H with the bottom wall in two angularly disposed sections 282 and 283, respectively. Best results have been obtained when the angle between the sections was about 20.

It is to be observed that in both Figs. 13 and 14 the portion of the bottom wall to the right of the edge 30 can be tilted as-shown and still have the anchor member 2D' bear against the anchor end of the bandwhere it overlies the bottom wall, be-l cause of the swivel action of the nut 23 inthe frame.

, It is also to be noted that the trunnions 25 are not aligned with the axis of thel screw 22. They are purposely mis-aligned to develop a binding action between the screw and the nut 23 to increase the resistance to rotation and thereby prevent the screw from accidentally loosening in service.

Although for the purpose of explaining the invention certain specic embodiments thereof have been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that various departures from the exact construction shown can be made without departing from the invention which is to be limited only to the extent set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A band clamp comprising a frame having a wall with a slot therein, a lband for forming a loop about an object to be clamped, one end of the looped band being extended through said slot and aroundonek edge thereofand extended along said wall, and tightening means secured to ther of said band, and cooperating cam means on said other member and said frame, respectively, forv preventing rocking movement of said yother mem'- ber into sai-d slot while it is positioned thereabove.

2. A band clamp as described in claim 1 in which said cooperating cam means comprises cam follower elements on said other memberand side walls on said frame,A saidvside walls havingl cam surfaces on which said follower elements ride.

3. A band clamp as described in claim 1 in which said cooperating cam means comprises cam follower elements on said other member andslotted side wallsron said frame, the lower edges of theA slots in the side walls constituting cam surfaces on whichv said follower elements ride.

4f. A band clamp as described in claimv 1 iny which said frame includes longitudinally slotted side walls and said other member has laterally extending cam follower elements extendingy into the slots in the side walls, a portion of the lower edges of said slots constituting cam surfaces for preventing rocking movement of said other member into said slot while it is positioned thereabove, and a portion of the upper edges of said slots acting against said cam elements to urge said othermember toward said extended portion of said one end during movement of said other member beyond said slot.

5. A band clamp comprising a frame having a wall with a slot therein, a band for forming a loop about an object to be clamped with one end of the looped band extended through said slot and around one edge of the slot and extended along said wall, the tightening means secure-d to the other end of the band and movable with respect to said frame along the outer Surface of said extended portion of said one end for holding the latter against saidbottom wall, in which said one edge of said slot is curved in the plane of said wall, whereby tightening of the band around said edge deforms the band transversely.

6. A band clamp comprising a frame havinga 'r wall with a` slot therein for-receiving a band for forming aloop about an object to be clamped, one end of the looped band extending through said slot and around one edge thereof and extended along said wall, and tightening means secured to the other end of the lband and movable with respect to said frame along the outer surface of said extended portion for holding the latter against said bottom wall, in which: said tightening means includes a screw, a nut member on the screw, and an anchor member rotatable with respect to the screw but longitudinally movable therewith., means pivotally'connecting one of said members to said frame, and means connecting the other of said members to the said other end of said band. whereby said screw and said other member are free to rock toward and away from said wall, said wall comprising two angularly disposed sections on opposite sides of said slot whereby sai-d wall is tangent to the loop of the band at a point adjacent said one edge.

...a-...gn

'7. A band clamp comprising a frame having a wall with a slot therein for receiving a band for forming a loop about an object to `be clamped, one end of the looped band extending through said slot and around one edge thereof and extended along said wall, and tightening means secured to the other end of the band and movable with respect to said frame along the outer surface of said extended portion of said one end for holding the latter against said bottom wall, in which: said tightening means includes a screw, a nut member on the screw, and an anchor member rotatable with respect to the screw but longitudinally movable therewith, means pivotally connecting one of said members to said frame, and means connecting the other of said members to the said other end of said band, whereby said screw and said other member are free to rock toward and away from said wall, that end oi said Wall remote from the portion along which said band is extended being folded back to constitute a bearing member bearing against said loop and tilting the frame to bring said mentioned portion of the wall tangent to said loop.

8. A band clamp for clamping an object, said clamp comprising: a frame having a wall adapted to be positioned substantially tangent to an object to be clamped, said wall having a slot therein; a screw; a pair of members respectively in threaded engagement with said screw and rotatable with respect to but movable longitudinally with respect to said screw, whereby rotation of the screw with respect to said members moves them longitudinally with 'respect to each other; a band for encircling the object; one of said members being connected to one end of said band; means pivotally connecting the other member to said frame for rocking movement of said screw and said one member toward and away from said wall on the side thereof opposite that adapted to be positioned next to the object; the other end of said band being adapted to be extended through said slot and around one edge thereof and along said wall on said opposite side thereof; and cooperating cam means on said frame and said one member respectively for preventing rocking movement of said one member into said slot while it is positioned thereabove.

9. A band clamp as described in claim 8 in which said cooperating cam means comprises cam-follower elements on said other member, and side Walls on said frame, said side walls having cam surfaces on which said follower elements ride.

10. A band clamp for clamping an object, said clamp comprising: a frame having a wall adapted to be positioned substantially tangent to an object to be clamped, said wall having a slot therein; a screw; a pair of members respectively in threaded engagement with said screw and rotatable with respect to but movable longitudinally with respect to said screw, whereby rotation of the screw with respect to said members moves them longitudinally with respect to each other; a band for encircling the object; one of said members being connected to one end of said band; means pivotally connecting the other member to said frame for rocking movement of said screw and said one member toward and away from said wall on the side thereof opposite that adapted to be positioned next to the object; the other end of said band being adapted to be extended through Said slot and around one edge thereof and along said wall on said opposite side thereof; said clamp being characterized in that said one edge of said slot is curved in the plane of said wall.

11. A band clamp for clamping an object, said clamp comprising: a. frame having a wall adapted to be positioned substantially tangent to an object to be clamped, said wall having a slot therein; a screw; a pair of members respectively in threaded engagement with said screw and rotatable with respect to but movable longitudinally with respect to said screw, whereby rotation of the screw with respect to said members moves them longitudinally with respect to each other; a band for encircling the object; one of said members being connected to one end of said band; means pivotally connecting the other member to said frame for rocking movement of said screw and said one member toward and away from said wall on the side thereof opposite that adapted to be positioned next to the object; the other end of 'said band being adapted to be extended through said slot and around one edge thereof and along said wall on said opposite side thereof; said Wall comprising two angularly disposed sections on opposite sides of said slot, whereby said wall is tangent to the loop of the band at a point adjacent said one edge.

ROBERT A. WEBSTER. HOWARD D. HOUGHTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

